Waterfalls, bubble waffles and chipmunk art
Seven Falls celebrates its 140th anniversary with a reopened restaurant 1858 and new food truck treats + more food & drink news
Restaurant 1858 at Seven Falls might be named in tribute of Colorado’s Gold Rush, but 1883 is the year the beloved local attraction opened. Which makes this year the scenic park’s 140th anniversary.
Wouldn’t ya know, they’re feeling festive and invited the media to a preview last week. Drinks were poured. Tapas-like food samples served. Ice cream scooped. Dapper staff stood at attention to greet guests. Waterfowl bathed in the lower South Cheyenne Creek stream, and Broadmoor leadership gave a presentation in front of the iconic falls. Then, an array of chipmunks were unleashed.
Okay, not real chipmunks, like doves at a wedding. No: 4-foot tall chipmunk art installations painted by third-grade student finalists in a district-wide school contest. With an assist from adults, it appears, because they’re really outstanding and I can’t imagine small humans alone accomplished this. But maybe I’m a jerk. Also I don’t have kids. Man I’ve really gotten off topic here. Anyhoo the art’s on display through Labor Day for visitors to vote on their favorite. The winning child will receive an array of chipmunks to unleash somewhere plus a year’s stay in a luxury Broadmoor hotel room once they turn 18 and can legally accept it. (No, not really, that would be crazy.)
As you can see from the above photos, it was quite a colorful affair for an otherwise gray day. It gave me fond memories of my past visits, like in 2015 when I first reviewed 1858 for the CS Indy. (“Feast of the Seven Falls” — man was I on-point with my headline that day at work, with my o-so clever Feast of the Seven Fishes spin. Can’t you just hear the sound of me loudly patting myself on the back right now?)
This is the first year since pre-pandemic (i.e. 2019) that 1858 is open, and they’ve created new menus. Among samples we received were barbecue glazed, River Bear bacon-wrapped shrimp. (So what if I ate four of these? The staff kept offering. How was I realistically to say no?). And the hardwood-smoked Colorado trout dip on crostini with avocado and Broadmoor farms tomato and caper relish. (Okay so I think I responsibly scarfed only two of these).
For drinks we sipped a sparkling raspberry limeade (nonalcoholic) and the Moonshine Mule made with 291 Fresh whiskey. And for dessert we visited the new Falling Waffles bubble waffle sundaes food truck. (Is it even possible to jam more fun into a name than that?) I tried a special Chipmunk Sundae made with Broadmoor Creamery caramel ice cream topped in candied almond and sesame crumbles, chocolate-covered pretzels, peanut brittle, caramel popcorn and Nutella sauce. (Notice how I refrained from making a joke about chipmunk meat being an ingredient. Job well done, Schnip. … again with the loud back patting. Sheesh.)
Oh and I also got a delicious bite of the Pillars of Hercules signature waffle creation, made with double chocolate chunk ice cream, marshmallow, Oreos, chocolate sauce and sweetened condensed milk. It’s named for my beefy biceps and pectoral muscles, obviously. (Joking again! It’s what the dramatic Pikes Peak Granite canyon cliffs are named at the terminus of the snaking road up South Cheyenne Cañon.)
All of which is to say, go if you’ve somehow never been. Return if it’s been too long a time. And skip it if you have a chipmunk phobia.
Jailbreak
Free subscribers can now read my full review of Native Grill food truck. You’re gonna wanna go for the Chilaco shrimp torta, but make sure to try the outstanding house sauces (perhaps on a taco trio). The hibiscus morita pepper is especially poignant.
“You better bowl-leave it!”
I know I’m a jackass but that one’s actually not my pun. It’s on the header of a press release about the May 19 opening of Teriyaki Madness at 7895 Silicon Heights, out East near the intersection of Hwy. 24 and Marksheffel Road.
Teriyaki Madness is a fast casual, Asian food franchise with more than 130 locations in the U.S. with a couple each in Canada and Mexico. They call themselves Seattle-style teriyaki in a nod to their origins and the city’s seafood reputation. Proteins on the customizable bowls include steak, salmon, all-natural chicken and tofu with stir-fried veggies over yakisoba noodles or white, brown or fried rice.
Related to the Springs’ new location, it’s operated by Randy and Charity Stauffacher. From the release: “After two decades in their respective careers in IT and trauma therapy, the couple looked for a new opportunity that would get them more involved in the community.”
Lastly, if you’re one of those people willing to line up and camp out for free stuff, on Friday May 19’s grand opening celebration, the first five customers in store will earn free Teriyaki Madness for a year, and the following 20 will get free grub for a month. (Enjoy the rain, suckers.)
Whiskey weekends
You’re probably heard the news by now of Axe and the Oak’s expansion into Arkansas. The company plans to “keep things going strong in Colorado Springs” says co-owner Casey Ross in the above-linked article. As such, they’re launching a new Summer Sundays patio series on May 21. Nab $7 cocktails and $1 off whiskey ice cream, from 1-6 p.m. through Labor Day.
Walter’s Bistro sells to Marigold folks
I was just about to make a call on the news I recently saw on social media, regarding Walter’s Bistro being purchased by the people running other longstanding Springs fine dining spot Marigold Cafe & Bakery.
Then I saw that my industry pal Teresa Farney over at the Gazette just published a piece on said news. In it, she confirms that Walter Iser, who said he was “ready to slow down,” did sell to Julie and Ghassan Nehme, who’d prior purchased Marigold in 2017 from its longtime owners Elaine and Dominique Chavanon.
And, yes, for anyone surprised to see me sharing her work, Teresa and I have enjoyed a professional friendship from dining together at dozens and dozens of media events over the past couple decades. Despite the Indy’s stark contrast to the Gazette politically and culturally (to state it diplomatically), Teresa and I share common ground as food journalists devoted to the Springs industry. And though individual journalists are ambassadors generally for their respective publications, it doesn’t mean they have to always agree with what’s written in other sections of the papers. They aren’t us, we aren’t them — got it, let’s eat and drink. Anyway, cheers to her for making the call first.
Cider and Coffee
Boxing Brothers Ciderhouse recently announced some big changes to its operations after seven years, specifically related to growing its product lineup and focusing efforts on its motorsports-themed Daredevil Coffee brand. As such, they’ve changed up their retail offerings at 4655 Town Center Drive (just across from Ranch Foods Direct’s east location).
“It is no secret that hard seltzers, rising food cost (apples), and supply issues have weakened the hard cider market over the past year,” they share in a Facebook post. “…Please know that this is not the end of Boxing Brothers cider, and we plan to continue its manufacturing at our new production facility that goes online in 2024. We also will continue to work on opening a retail wine bar and coffee shop on the northside of Colorado Springs, and there will be more details on that project to come.”
To be clear, the shop is not a coffee cafe, but says it will host Rides & Coffee meetups, and sell “a wide variety of our exclusive coffee and ciders to the public [during limited taproom hours]. You will also be able to purchase swag items and pick up online orders, and even rent out the space for events.”
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Sip with Schnip at The Carter Payne
If you’re reading this on its publish date, Thursday, May 18, then recall that our inaugural Sip with Schnip Happy Hour is taking place tonight from 5-7 p.m. Come take advantage of Side Dish drink specials, including the first beer free to my paid subscriber list. (Full details in my recent post, here.) If you miss tonight, no worries, we’ll be hosting again on third Thursdays monthly during those same hours.
Parting shot
